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k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
May is an exciting month! National MATHCOUNTS is the second week of May in Washington D.C. and our Founder, Richard Rusczyk will be presenting a seminar, Preparing Strong Math Students for College and Careers, on May 11th.

Are you interested in working towards MATHCOUNTS and don’t know where to start? We have you covered! If you have taken Prealgebra, then you are ready for MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics. Already aiming for State or National MATHCOUNTS and harder AMC 8 problems? Then our MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced course is for you.

Summer camps are starting next month at the Virtual Campus in math and language arts that are 2 - to 4 - weeks in duration. Spaces are still available - don’t miss your chance to have an enriching summer experience. There are middle and high school competition math camps as well as Math Beasts camps that review key topics coupled with fun explorations covering areas such as graph theory (Math Beasts Camp 6), cryptography (Math Beasts Camp 7-8), and topology (Math Beasts Camp 8-9)!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
[list][*]May 9th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, Casework 2: Overwhelming Evidence — A Text Adventure, a game where participants will work together to navigate the map, solve puzzles, and win! All are welcome.
[*]May 19th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, What's Next After Beast Academy?, designed for students finishing Beast Academy and ready for Prealgebra 1.
[*]May 20th, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 1 Math Jam, Problems 1 to 4, join the Canada/USA Mathcamp staff for this exciting Math Jam, where they discuss solutions to Problems 1 to 4 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz!
[*]May 21st, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 2 Math Jam, Problems 5 and 6, Canada/USA Mathcamp staff will discuss solutions to Problems 5 and 6 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz![/list]
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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
k i Adding contests to the Contest Collections
dcouchman   1
N Apr 5, 2023 by v_Enhance
Want to help AoPS remain a valuable Olympiad resource? Help us add contests to AoPS's Contest Collections.

Find instructions and a list of contests to add here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c40244h1064480_contests_to_add
1 reply
dcouchman
Sep 9, 2019
v_Enhance
Apr 5, 2023
k i Zero tolerance
ZetaX   49
N May 4, 2019 by NoDealsHere
Source: Use your common sense! (enough is enough)
Some users don't want to learn, some other simply ignore advises.
But please follow the following guideline:


To make it short: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!
If you don't have common sense, don't post.


More specifically:

For new threads:


a) Good, meaningful title:
The title has to say what the problem is about in best way possible.
If that title occured already, it's definitely bad. And contest names aren't good either.
That's in fact a requirement for being able to search old problems.

Examples:
Bad titles:
- "Hard"/"Medium"/"Easy" (if you find it so cool how hard/easy it is, tell it in the post and use a title that tells us the problem)
- "Number Theory" (hey guy, guess why this forum's named that way¿ and is it the only such problem on earth¿)
- "Fibonacci" (there are millions of Fibonacci problems out there, all posted and named the same...)
- "Chinese TST 2003" (does this say anything about the problem¿)
Good titles:
- "On divisors of a³+2b³+4c³-6abc"
- "Number of solutions to x²+y²=6z²"
- "Fibonacci numbers are never squares"


b) Use search function:
Before posting a "new" problem spend at least two, better five, minutes to look if this problem was posted before. If it was, don't repost it. If you have anything important to say on topic, post it in one of the older threads.
If the thread is locked cause of this, use search function.

Update (by Amir Hossein). The best way to search for two keywords in AoPS is to input
[code]+"first keyword" +"second keyword"[/code]
so that any post containing both strings "first word" and "second form".


c) Good problem statement:
Some recent really bad post was:
[quote]$lim_{n\to 1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n}-lnn$[/quote]
It contains no question and no answer.
If you do this, too, you are on the best way to get your thread deleted. Write everything clearly, define where your variables come from (and define the "natural" numbers if used). Additionally read your post at least twice before submitting. After you sent it, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.


For answers to already existing threads:


d) Of any interest and with content:
Don't post things that are more trivial than completely obvious. For example, if the question is to solve $x^{3}+y^{3}=z^{3}$, do not answer with "$x=y=z=0$ is a solution" only. Either you post any kind of proof or at least something unexpected (like "$x=1337, y=481, z=42$ is the smallest solution). Someone that does not see that $x=y=z=0$ is a solution of the above without your post is completely wrong here, this is an IMO-level forum.
Similar, posting "I have solved this problem" but not posting anything else is not welcome; it even looks that you just want to show off what a genius you are.

e) Well written and checked answers:
Like c) for new threads, check your solutions at least twice for mistakes. And after sending, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.



To repeat it: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!


Everything definitely out of range of common sense will be locked or deleted (exept for new users having less than about 42 posts, they are newbies and need/get some time to learn).

The above rules will be applied from next monday (5. march of 2007).
Feel free to discuss on this here.
49 replies
ZetaX
Feb 27, 2007
NoDealsHere
May 4, 2019
Combinatorial Sum
P162008   0
42 minutes ago
Source: ARML
Compute the greatest integer $k$ such that $2^k$ divides

$\sum_{0 \leq i < j \leq 2024} \left[\binom{2024}{i}\binom{2034}{j} - \binom{2024}{j}\binom{2034}{i}\right]^2$
0 replies
P162008
42 minutes ago
0 replies
(3x+y)(3y+z)(3z+x) \ge 64xyz if x,y,z>0
parmenides51   4
N an hour ago by AylyGayypow009
Source: Greece JBMO TST 2015 p1
If $x,y,z>0$, prove that $(3x+y)(3y+z)(3z+x) \ge 64xyz$. When we have equality;
4 replies
parmenides51
Apr 29, 2019
AylyGayypow009
an hour ago
Need proof for greedy algorithm for array merging
avighnac   1
N an hour ago by avighnac
Source: Baltic Olympiad in Informatics 2025: Day 2, Problem 2
I'm working on the following problem:

[size=150]Problem[/size]
You have an array of $n$ numbers $a_1, \dots, a_n$. You repeatedly merge two adjacent numbers $x$ and $y$ into a single number $\max(x,y)+1$, until only one number remains. Find the minimum final value that can be obtained.

Note: $a_i \ge 0$, and $a_i \in \mathbb{Z}^+_0$. So each $a_i$ is a non-negative integer.

[size=150]Greedy algorithm[/size]
I need help proving (or disproving) the following greedy algorithm: at each step merge $a_i$ with $a_{i+1}$ such that $\max(a_i, a_{i+1})+1$ is minimized across all choices of $i \in [1, n)$. In case of ties, choose the _smallest_ $i$.

I understand how to rephrase any merge sequence as a complete binary tree of depth $d_i$ at leaf $i$, and show that the final root value equals

$$\max_{1\le i \le n} a_i+d_i$$

Note that this also means the answer has to be $\le M+\log_2(n)$, where $M$ is the maximum value in the array.

However, I'm struggling to make the exchange argument fully rigourous. In particular, after swapping the first merge of an assumed-optimal strategy with the greedy-first merge, the resulting multiset of intermediate values changes. How do I argue that "continuing the same tree shape" on this new multiset still yields a no-worse maximum $a_i+d_i$, since it changes?

I’ve posted this on Math Stack Exchange but haven't received any feedback yet. It seems that the focus there is more on formal proofs and textbook-style problems. I think AoPS might be a better place for more creative and exploratory questions like this. If you have any ideas, please let me know!
1 reply
avighnac
an hour ago
avighnac
an hour ago
Really fun geometry problem
Sadigly   6
N an hour ago by farhad.fritl
Source: Azerbaijan Senior MO 2025 P6
In an acute triangle $ABC$ with $AB<AC$, the foot of altitudes from $A,B,C$ to the sides $BC,CA,AB$ are $D,E,F$, respectively. $H$ is the orthocenter. $M$ is the midpoint of segment $BC$. Lines $MH$ and $EF$ intersect at $K$. Let the tangents drawn to circumcircle $(ABC)$ from $B$ and $C$ intersect at $T$. Prove that $T;D;K$ are colinear
6 replies
Sadigly
Yesterday at 4:29 PM
farhad.fritl
an hour ago
the epitome of olympiad nt
youlost_thegame_1434   31
N an hour ago by MR.1
Source: 2023 IMO Shortlist N3
For positive integers $n$ and $k \geq 2$, define $E_k(n)$ as the greatest exponent $r$ such that $k^r$ divides $n!$. Prove that there are infinitely many $n$ such that $E_{10}(n) > E_9(n)$ and infinitely many $m$ such that $E_{10}(m) < E_9(m)$.
31 replies
youlost_thegame_1434
Jul 17, 2024
MR.1
an hour ago
help!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cobedangiu   6
N an hour ago by MathsII-enjoy
help
6 replies
Cobedangiu
Mar 23, 2025
MathsII-enjoy
an hour ago
Number Theory
VicKmath7   4
N an hour ago by AylyGayypow009
Source: Archimedes Junior 2014
Let $p$ prime and $m$ a positive integer. Determine all pairs $( p,m)$ satisfying the equation: $ p(p+m)+p=(m+1)^3$
4 replies
VicKmath7
Mar 17, 2020
AylyGayypow009
an hour ago
JBMO Shortlist 2023 A4
Orestis_Lignos   6
N 2 hours ago by MR.1
Source: JBMO Shortlist 2023, A4
Let $a,b,c,d$ be positive real numbers with $abcd=1$. Prove that

$$\sqrt{\frac{a}{b+c+d^2+a^3}}+\sqrt{\frac{b}{c+d+a^2+b^3}}+\sqrt{\frac{c}{d+a+b^2+c^3}}+\sqrt{\frac{d}{a+b+c^2+d^3}} \leq 2$$
6 replies
Orestis_Lignos
Jun 28, 2024
MR.1
2 hours ago
60 posts!(and a question )
kjhgyuio   1
N 2 hours ago by Pal702004
Finally 60 posts :D
1 reply
kjhgyuio
3 hours ago
Pal702004
2 hours ago
|a^2-b^2-2abc|<2c implies abc EVEN!
tom-nowy   1
N 2 hours ago by Tkn
Source: Own
Prove that if integers $a, b$ and $c$ satisfy $\left| a^2-b^2-2abc \right| <2c $, then $abc$ is an even number.
1 reply
tom-nowy
May 3, 2025
Tkn
2 hours ago
Preparing for Putnam level entrance examinations
Cats_on_a_computer   1
N 4 hours ago by Miquel-point
Non American high schooler in the equivalent of grade 12 here. Where I live, two the best undergraduates program in the country accepts students based on a common entrance exam. The first half of the exam is “screening”, with 4 options being presented per question, each of which one has to assign a True or False. This first half is about the difficulty of an average AIME, or JEE Adv paper, and it is a requirement for any candidate to achieve at least 24/40 on this half for the examiners to even consider grading the second part. The second part consists of long form questions, and I have, no joke, seen them literally rip off, verbatim, Putnam A6s. Some of the problems are generally standard textbook problems in certain undergrad courses but obviously that doesn’t translate it to being doable for high school students. I’ve effectively got to prepare for a slightly nerfed Putnam, if you will, and so I’ve been looking for resources (not just problems) for Putnam level questions. Does anyone have any suggestions?
1 reply
Cats_on_a_computer
4 hours ago
Miquel-point
4 hours ago
UC Berkeley Integration Bee 2025 Bracket Rounds
Silver08   8
N Today at 6:36 AM by Aiden-1089
Regular Round

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

3rd Place Match

Finals
8 replies
Silver08
Today at 2:26 AM
Aiden-1089
Today at 6:36 AM
f(x+1)-f(x)=f'(x+1/2) implies f(x)=ax^2 +bx+c?
tom-nowy   1
N Today at 6:15 AM by ddot1
Source: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c4t157249f4h1288200
Is this true?

$f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ is differentiable and for all $x \in \mathbb{R}, \; f(x+1)-f(x)=f'\left(x+\frac{1}{2}\right)$
$\Longrightarrow f(x)=ax^2 +bx+c$.
1 reply
tom-nowy
Today at 2:47 AM
ddot1
Today at 6:15 AM
Integration Bee Kaizo
Calcul8er   57
N Today at 2:00 AM by Silver08
Hey integration fans. I decided to collate some of my favourite and most evil integrals I've written into one big integration bee problem set. I've been entering integration bees since 2017 and I've been really getting hands on with the writing side of things over the last couple of years. I hope you'll enjoy!
57 replies
Calcul8er
Mar 2, 2025
Silver08
Today at 2:00 AM
Differential equations , Matrix theory
c00lb0y   1
N Apr 19, 2025 by loup blanc
Source: RUDN MATH OLYMP 2024 problem 4
Any idea?? Diff equational system combined with Matrix theory.
Consider the equation dX/dt=X^2, where X(t) is an n×n matrix satisfying the condition detX=0. It is known that there are no solutions of this equation defined on a bounded interval, but there exist non-continuable solutions defined on unbounded intervals of the form (t ,+∞) and (−∞,t). Find n.
1 reply
c00lb0y
Apr 17, 2025
loup blanc
Apr 19, 2025
Differential equations , Matrix theory
G H J
Source: RUDN MATH OLYMP 2024 problem 4
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c00lb0y
6 posts
#1 • 1 Y
Y by FFA21
Any idea?? Diff equational system combined with Matrix theory.
Consider the equation dX/dt=X^2, where X(t) is an n×n matrix satisfying the condition detX=0. It is known that there are no solutions of this equation defined on a bounded interval, but there exist non-continuable solutions defined on unbounded intervals of the form (t ,+∞) and (−∞,t). Find n.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by c00lb0y, Apr 18, 2025, 7:13 AM
Reason: unsolved yet!
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loup blanc
3595 posts
#2
Y by
Your post is badly written.
"The condition" is -I think so- : for every $t$, $\det(X(t))=0$.
"There are no solutions..." ; you mean : "there are no maximal solutions...".
The considered property is false for $n=1$ and true for $n\geq 2$.
For $n\geq 2$, choose $X(t)=diag(\dfrac{-1}{t+C},0_{n-1})$.
EDIT.
For $n=2$, there are non-diagonal solutions with $2$ constants: $X(t)=\begin{pmatrix}0&\dfrac{\lambda}{t+\mu}\\0&\dfrac{-1}{t+\mu}\end{pmatrix}$.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by loup blanc, Apr 20, 2025, 2:48 PM
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